Overview
For your second essay, you may choose either prompt A or prompt B.
Essay #2 - Prompt A Examine the intersection of identity and conflict. Many conflicts involve differences in identity – be it racial, ethnic, religious, national or otherwise. Given what you’ve learned about conflict and diplomacy, choose an international conflict that has taken place in the last 100 years. Your essay should provide the following:
- A brief discussion of the historical factors that led to the conflict.
- A description of the identity differences that existed within the conflict. Was the conflict between races? Religions? Nations?
- An analysis of the ways in which the identity differences contributed to the conflict.
- A discussion of how the conflict came to a close.
- Lastly, offer analysis as to how conflicts such as the one you have chosen could be prevented.
As you are writing, consider the role of international and intergovernmental organizations in the peace process. Do these organizations prevent potential conflicts? If so, how? If not, why not?
Again, be sure to manage your time well and give me your best work!
Essay #2, Prompt B
To begin with, review the first chapter of Elinor Ostrom’s “Governing the Commons” (1990).
For this essay, you’ll need to examine the issues of sustainability and global development through the lens of Collective Action. Your essay needs to review the required literature and answer the following questions:
- What, in Ostrom’s description, is a “Collective Action Problem”?
- How do people overcome Collective Action Problems?
- Given the history of colonization, is development in Lesser Developed Countries a Collective Action Problem? If so, how? If not, why not?
- Is Global Environmental preservation / sustainability a Collective Action Problem? If so, how? If not, why not?
- What solutions (presented in Ostrom’s work or in your own research) might allow for the world community to overcome Collective Action Problems and make progress on the issues that present this sort of challenge?
As always, be sure to manage your time and give me your best work!
For either prompt above, a successful essay will draw on the materials presented in class, as well as independent research. You must submit your essay using this form on Blackboard, and you must copy / paste your formatted text into the submission window below. You may attach also attach a file in either .docx or .pdf format, but you must paste a formatted copy into the submission window in order to receive credit. All papers should use the MLA citation format (though APA, Chicago and foot/end notes are also acceptable) and students are REQUIRED to properly cite all sources used. Your essay MUST be at least 1,000 WORDS to receive full credit.